Trump Cracks Down On Illegal Immigrant Truck Drivers

WASHINGTON, DC – President Donald Trump has announced plans to crack down on undocumented immigrant truck drivers, saying his administration will remove those working illegally on American roads and replace them with military veterans under a new commercial driver’s licensing initiative.

Speaking at the Pennsylvania Defense and Innovation Summit on July 15, Trump linked the proposed action to the recent death of Pennsylvania State Trooper Michael Pahira, whom he said was killed by “an illegal alien operating a semi-truck on a commercial driver’s license.”

“My administration will soon take historic action to get illegal alien truck drivers who are just killing a lot of people,” Trump said.

He alleged that undocumented drivers “can’t read signs,” adding that “many of them are on drugs or alcohol, and they shouldn’t be driving these things.”

“They came in illegally and we don’t want them,” Trump said. “But they are driving all over American roadways, and we’re going to replace them with proud American veterans.”

The announcement is of particular interest to Indian American readers, as Sikh Americans make up a significant share of the US trucking industry, working as commercial truck drivers and fleet owners. The overwhelming majority work legally as US citizens, permanent residents or authorized workers.

Trump also announced that his administration would recognize the military driving experience of US armed forces veterans for commercial trucking jobs.

“We’re going to take our veterans… and we’re going to teach them a lot about driving trucks,” he said. “And in many cases, they know. We’re going to say any American who has driven a heavy truck for our military will automatically be eligible for a commercial driver’s license.”

Trump said the proposal would also create more opportunities for former service members.

The announcement was part of a broader speech in which Trump also outlined his administration’s agenda on defense manufacturing, economic growth and immigration enforcement. (IANS)